The poll indicates that 69 percent of Connecticut voters say their mind is set regarding their choice for governor.

“In our first likely voter poll, Tom Foley has the edge, but Gov. Dannel Malloy is certainly within striking distance,” said Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll. “Foley has a double-digit lead among the key swing group, independent voters. With eight weeks until Election Day, there are six percent undecided and another 30 percent who say they could change their mind.”

“A difficult problem for Malloy to overcome is his high negative favorability rating, as 53 percent say they have an unfavorable opinion of him, including 40 percent who say they have a strongly unfavorable opinion,” Schwartz added. “It is tough for a well-known incumbent to change voter opinion once formed. In contrast, only 33 percent have an unfavorable opinion of Foley.”